Train Accident Law

Railroads continue to play a significant role in U.S. transportation, supporting the movement of goods and passengers across extensive track networks. Thousands of train accidents are reported annually, many of which result in serious injuries or fatalities. These incidents often involve substantial impact forces. Investigations of major accidents are often handled by the National Transportation Safety Board, while safety regulations fall under the Federal Railroad Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Types of Train Accidents

Train accidents can include derailments, where a train leaves the track unexpectedly, as well as collisions with other trains or vehicles and incidents at railroad crossings that harm pedestrians. Causes can include human error by railroad personnel, mechanical failures, neglected track maintenance, or external factors such as vehicles obstructing the rails. Accidents also can arise from a railroad company’s failure to oversee operations or provide safe conditions.

Common Carriers and Passenger Safety

Railroads that transport passengers for a fee are considered common carriers. They owe a higher legal duty to safeguard those who travel with them. This heightened obligation includes ensuring that trains, platforms, and other facilities are properly maintained and free from hazards that could cause harm. Many states reinforce these responsibilities through statutes or regulations that impose specific standards of care for the protection of passengers.

Railroad Safety Regulations

Railroads are subject to regulations at both federal and state levels. Under federal law, railroad companies must comply with detailed requirements for operations, inspections, maintenance, and equipment. Rules governing track conditions, locomotive standards, signal systems, and speed limits seek to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Operators and their employees must also follow prescribed safety procedures, such as maintaining proper braking practices and adhering to mandated speeds around curves. State governments sometimes add separate rules that take into account regional conditions and specific local safety needs.

Passenger Injuries

Passengers in train accidents often sustain severe injuries from abrupt changes in velocity or significant impacts. Injuries can also occur while boarding or exiting trains. If the railroad failed to exercise the proper level of care, passengers may pursue compensation to address medical costs, lost income, psychological harm, and other losses. Data from onboard recorders can be pivotal in demonstrating speed, brake usage, and deviations from standard procedures.

Bystander Injuries

Bystanders are frequently exposed to risks at railroad crossings, especially crossings without gates or warning lights. If crossing signals or gates malfunction, the resulting confusion and lack of warning can endanger people near the tracks. In situations where the railroad’s equipment or personnel errors contribute to a bystander’s injury, liability may attach to the railroad. However, if bystanders ignore posted warnings or cross improperly, this may limit or bar their right to recover damages.

Potential Damages

Injured parties may seek compensatory damages, which include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, when another party’s negligent actions cause a train-related injury. Some states permit punitive damages if the defendant’s behavior is deemed particularly reckless. Statutes of limitations vary by jurisdiction and set deadlines for filing claims.

Injured Railroad Workers

Railroad employees are covered by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) instead of state workers’ compensation laws when they are engaged in interstate commerce. FELA imposes a duty on railroads to provide a safe workplace with consistent safety measures, dependable equipment, and adequate training. Employees who prove that the railroad’s negligence played a role in causing their injuries may recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Last reviewed April 2025